A Fall Into Redemption
A Father’s Account of His Son’s Remarkable Rise to Baseball Success, A Life Cut Short by Addiction, and His Ultimate Deliverance to Freedom.
by
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A week later, Tyler joined the men’s league team. He was scheduled to pitch in their next game. While driving him to the game, I was still very conflicted about whether it was a good idea for him to play because of his drug use and his overall condition. But there we were, pulling into the ballpark. Tyler’s appearance was ragged as we made our way to the field. He was dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt and an old stained pair of baseball pants with a few tears on them.
I did not know it at the time, but this would end up being the last game that Tyler would ever pitch in or even play in. Looking back, I am so fortunate to have been there. Right from the start though, it was difficult for me to watch him struggle throughout the game. While he was on the mound, he was pitching OK and managed to persevere through his weak condition. In between some of the innings, it was a different story. He would slowly walk into the woods and attempt to vomit the poisonous drugs. It hurt me so much to see him like that. I couldn’t imagine the physical and even mental pain he must have been in. When he would make his way back from the woods, he would sit on a picnic-table bench next to the dugout, put his head down, and doze off on the table.
When it was time for him to go back out to the mound, someone would nudge him and let him know that it was time for him to go pitch again.
After a while, it was too painful for me to sit idly by and watch my tortured son. Near the end of the game and before the final inning, I approached and sat next to him on the bench. With his head on the table and his eyes closed, I put my arm on his shoulder and said to him, “You don’t have to continue. I know you are
hurting and feel terrible. You don’t have anything to prove, Ty.” He slowly lifted his head and wearily said, “I know, Dad, but I really want to finish the game.”
I nodded and said, “OK, Ty.” Tears welled at the corners of my eyes as I patted him on the back. He managed to make his way back to the mound to try to finish his last game. I looked out at my sickly son and thought with heavy sadness, He looks so frail with his tattered appearance compared to how healthy and strong he looked in his pristine Team USA uniform seven years earlier. With my eyes now completely filled with tears, he begins to pitch his final inning. I whispered a short but passionate prayer, “Please, Lord, help Tyler finish the game.”
His determination was admirable, but what he really showed me was one of his greatest qualities that he continuously displayed throughout his short life...His humility. Here he was, playing a baseball game with his body ravaged with drugs and looking completely worn out, but all he desired was to be on the field. He wasn’t concerned that he was playing with mediocre players and against inferior competition. Quite honestly, he didn’t even care that he was no longer an All-American baseball player. All Tyler wanted to do was just play the game. As his father, he taught me so much. And his great humility was one that I admired the most. And yes, Tyler finished the final game he would ever play...just the way he wanted to.
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 14:11 NIV)
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About the Book
… I looked around his room at all of his things and I realized there was only one thing that was obviously and painfully missing… Tyler. I continued to sob as I sat up on his bed and hugged his little blue pillow. I felt so deeply the massive void that Tyler’s absence had left in my heart.
… “Trust me, I got this.” God? Is that you? A rush of relief came over me. Ever since, I’ve heard those words “Trust me” whispered to me often from the Lord. Those words that I will always hold onto, as it brings me great peace. Freedom… I don’t have to worry!
Tom Hibbs recounts his fond and heartbreaking memories that he had with his beloved late son, Tyler. It is a compilation of stories that outline his son’s rise to baseball success, the harrowing impact of drug addiction, and the saving grace of Jesus through tragedy. Tom’s hope is that anyone who reads this book will not only experience the compelling stories of Tyler’s life, but most importantly, will be open to the invitation of everlasting life through Jesus Christ. Throughout his memoir, he encourages us that God’s plans are impossible to imagine. Tragedy is unforeseen, hardship is difficult to explain, and peace is sometimes hard to be found. But, if we allow Him, God will gracefully rebuild us and invite Himself in. Ultimately, He will turn us into a masterpiece that we could’ve never foreseen or imagined.
About the Author
Tom Hibbs was crushed by the weight of his son’s death, but he recognized the ultimate hope is through Christ, which inspired him to write. He is the father of four adult children, and a husband to his wife, Susan. Tom currently lives in Gainesville, Virginia, and enjoys woodworking, exercising, beaches, mountains and anything else in the great outdoors.